Blink just launched a new version of its best-tested video doorbell camera

CNN

29-05-2025

Today, Blink is launching a new version of its affordable smart video doorbell. The Amazon-owned smart security camera company has been releasing budget-friendly and highly reviewed alternatives to Ring for years now. We thought so highly of the original front porch monitor that it earned a spot as the best budget video doorbell camera on our list. Now, a new version has arrived with upgraded features.
Blink Video Doorbell (2025)
Blink's latest doorbell may have added several new bells and whistles, but it's still one of the cheapest on the market. The upgrades don't raise the price from the original, either. The starter kit clocks in at $70, while those upgrading an existing setup can buy just the doorbell for $60. Blink first launched its original video doorbell all the way back in 2021. Nearing its fifth birthday, the smart home accessory is beginning to show its age in an era of more intelligent and more energy-efficient cameras. That hasn't stopped us from ranking the original so highly, but there's certainly room for improvement with its budget-friendly design. The new version of Blink Video Doorbell delivers exactly that.
Amazon's budget security camera company isn't completely going back to the drawing board this time around, but there are some notable adjustments. The new Blink Video Doorbell is slightly larger than the previous version, mostly so it can accommodate three AA lithium batteries (the original had two AAs) to ensure it keeps the same two-year battery life as the first-generation version, even with all the new functionality.
Person detection is easily the biggest upgrade, a feature that improves upon the motion alerts that my colleagues highlighted in our guide to the best video doorbell cameras. Instead of just pinging you when the camera notices movement, it can now alert you when it detects an actual person at your door. I appreciate that Blink is accomplishing this with on-device computer vision, which forgoes the need to send footage up to the cloud.
Speaking of footage, the video quality offered by the camera is also being enhanced. There's now 1440p x 1440p image resolution, which is a notable improvement over the original's 1080p recordings. Blink also offers a larger 150-degree field of view with a 1:1 aspect ratio to ensure more of your porch and front yard are included in the shot. By comparison, the first-generation version only featured a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Blink is improving its popular smart home camera with the launch of a new iteration. Despite packing so much new technology into the enhanced version, Amazon's budget camera is still staying true to its customers by keeping the pricing the same as the original. It's rare to see a company not raise prices these days when debuting a successor like this.
If all the new features don't catch your eye, I'd be remiss not to mention just how good a value the original model and our current best-tested pick are by comparison. On sale at Amazon, the first-generation Blink Video Doorbell is still our favorite budget camera for your porch — for the time being. It won't be long before my testing colleagues get their hands on Amazon's latest release to see how it fares against the competition for themselves.
Blink Video Doorbell
Amazon's original Blink doorbell camera may be on the older side, but it's a value-focused alternative for those who can rely on 1080p recordings and basic motion detection alerts. Read our review The following FAQs were answered by senior deals editor Rikka Altland, based on reporting and research she conducted.
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a subscription?
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a subscription?
No, the new Blink Video Doorbell works without a subscription. However, some functionality is locked behind a $3 per month ($30 per year) plan. Features like person detection alerts, as well as the ability to store your footage in the cloud, are included in that monthly subscription. The camera includes a free 30-day trial of a Blink Subscription Plan with purchase.
Can you see live video on the Blink Video Doorbell?
Can you see live video on the Blink Video Doorbell?
Yes, the new version of Blink Video Doorbell offers on-demand live video as well as two-way audio when paired with the included Sync Module Core hub.
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a hub?
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a hub?
Yes, the video doorbell needs to connect to the Blink Sync Module Core or Sync Module 2. The complete starter kit comes with the former, while existing Blink users can buy just the doorbell camera on its own to pair with an existing Sync Module.
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors with many years of product testing experience as well as experience researching and recommending other buys, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to ensure we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has personally been reviewing all kinds of tech and home goods for nearly a decade.